Three-point suspension for tank trucks



Feb, 23, 1931 R. F. BUCHHOLZ THREE-POINT SUSPENSION FOR TANK TRUCKS Filed Aug. .12, 1.933 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor ReneEBuclihoZz .97%

his Attorney Feb. 23, 1937. BUCHHOLZ 2,071,330

THREE-POINT SUSPENSION FOR TANK TRUCKS Fiied Aug. 12, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fnvenior' his Aiiorney Patented Feb. 23, 1937 UNITED. STATES THREE-POINT SUSPENSION FOB TANK TRUCKS Ren F. Bnchholz, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to The Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia,

Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 12, 1933, Serial No.684,865 10 Claims. (01. 280-5! This invention relates to tank truck mountings,

' particularly tanks such 'as are mounted on motor trucks,-and which, for example, are suitable'for making deliveries of petroleum oils or the like.

It is an object of my invention to provide a mounting which will eliminate tortional stresses in the tank and also in the chassis. To this end, it is an object of my invention to mount the tank on the chassis frame so ,as'to permit pivotal and teral motion of the chassis frame relative to the tank! It is also an object of my invention to provide a mounting fixture of a type which will permit this motion. These and other objects and features of the invention falling within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. When the tank is firmly and rigidly attached throughout its length to the chassis-high tor tional stresses are set up in the wallsfof the tank when, for example, the truck wheels pass over an uneven road. These stresses tend to break the seams and/ or shear the rivets of the'tank, thereby causing leakage and short life. Also, such rigid connection prevents the chassis frame from being flexible enough to readily bend into-positions so that the weight will be substantially evenly dis- 'tributed on the four wheels 9f the truck when the same is passing over uneven surfaces.

Suggestions have been made in the past to mount tanks so that one end is rigidly fastened in a saddle toone end of the chassis frame, and

the other end thereof is pivotally mounted on such frame, thereby to minimize torsional stress-- es. Such mounting while it relieves a portion of the stresses incident to rigidly mounting a tank on the chassis frame, is ineffective in relieving a substantial portion of stresses which may be set up. Such connection only takes care of the m0- tion of the frame around a horizontal axis, longitudinally of the truck. I

'I have discovered that in passing overa rough road, when one wheel is elevated higher than another, in addition to twisting of the frame relative to a horizontal axis running longitudinally of pivotal connection. The bolt, .of course, is made of sufficient diameterto resist the shearing force, and the stress is therefore transmitted to the walls of the tank and to the framework of the chassis. This action loosens the seams of the tank causing leakage and in addition acts to weaken and rackthe frame of the chasis. The preferredembodiment ofmy invention provides for a rigid connection-of the'tank to the chassis frame at one section along itsqlength, for example, by supporting one end of the tank in a saddle. The tank a supported at anothenor other point or points so as to provide for both: pivotal motion and restricted lateral motion of the tank relative to. the chassis frame. When the tank is mounted on the chassis frame ,in the manner aforesaid,'stresses and; strains due to the mounting are substantially completely eliminated both in the walls of the tank and in the.chassis frame. The frame maytfiex relative to a longi tudirial horizontal axis and also relative to a vertlcal axis in the vicinity of the source of stress, in-

dependently of the tank.

I- may prefer to mount the tank by means of a rigidly fastened saddle atits mid-section, said saddle in turn being rigidly secured to the chassis frame. In this case I would support both ends of the tank on my pivotal mounting fixtures and thereby eliminate unnecessary stresses upon the tank and chassis. This system of mounting is particularly desirable for tanks which are longer and heavier than usual and which must be supported at the mid-se tion as well as at the ends.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawlugs to illustrate the mode ofmounting and. the

features of my device for permitting both the pivotal and lateral motion .of the tank relative to the chassis frame.

Figs. 1 and 2. are side views of tanks mounted in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 3 is aplan view of the mounting fixture orconnection on which the tank rests, and whichpermits lateral and pivotal motion of the relative to the chassis frame; g M

Fig.4 is a side view of my mounting fixture,

connected to the cross bar which is fastened to the v the frame 'of the chassis. Mounting fixture 3 permits both pivotal and lateral motion of the end of tank I to which it is connected, relative to 1 the chassis frame, said pivotal motion occurring about a longitudinal axis substantially centrally of the liottom of the tank.

In Fig. 2, the tank I is shown rigidly supported suported by mounting fixtures 3, which in turn arefrigidly fastened to the chassis frame. The

mounting fixtures 3 permit both pivotal and lateral motion of the respective ends of the tank relative to the chassis, said pivotal motion occurring about a longitudinal axis substantially centrally of the bottom of the tank. I

"In Figs. 3, 4, and 5, horizontal plate 4 of the mounting fixture 3 contains bolt holes 5 through which framework supporting an end of the tank is bolted. Rigidly fixed to plate 4 are downwardly extending members 6 spaced from each other to receive roller '1 therebetween. Members 8 and I roller 1 have drill holes or openings to permit shaft 8 to pass therethrough. The housing,- consisting of horizontal plate 4, slotted at 2| to accommodate the upper portion of roller 1, and members 6, is preferably keyed to shaft 8 by means of key 20, although in some instances the housing may be freely rotatable with respect to said shaft. Roller 1 may or may not be rotatably mounted on shaft 8, but preferably is mounted to permit .rotation of the roller with respect to the shaft. In the event that the housing is keyed to shaft 8, the roller I must be free to rotate on shaft 8. Shaft 8 is provided at both ends with lock collars I8 secured to the shaft by set-screws 22, and at one end with lubricating attachment I9; Roller 'l rests on plate 8 and is adapted to roll back and forth thereon to permit lateral motion of the tank relative to the chassis frame. The weight of the tank which rests on horizontal plate 4 is transmitted therefrom through members 6 to roller I rests, and thence through the horizontal cross piece III which connects at each end with a side of the chassis frame H.

Unnecessary lateral motion of the tank relative to the chassis frame is prevented by springs I2 which act to damp the lateral movement of the roller 1 back and forth on plate 9, and thereby maintain the tank in its proper position. Flanged irons l3 which are inserted betweensprings [2, on either side of the horizontal cross piece III, are provided with horizontal slots M to permit horizontal movement of the shaft 8. Blocks [5, drilled and tapped to adapt bolts [1, and drilled also to accommodate shaft 8, are mounted on either end of shaft 8 adjacent the flanged irons l3, and are held in position on shaft 8 by the bolts [1 which pass freely through holes drilled through the flanged portion of irons 18. The blocks l5 are pivotally mounted or Journalled on the shaft 8 and are movable in the direction of movement of the roller 1, i. e., laterally.- However, this movement is restricted, as can particularly be seen in Fig. 3,.by the action of the springs l2 which tend to keep the roller centered in its pre- 0 determined position. The flanged irons I3 are firmly fastened, for example, by bolts It, .to the horizontal cross piece I8 which extends between the two sides of the chassis frame and which also is preferably of channel design. The blocks I5 located within the turned out ends of flanged 65 of the tank is transmitted through the roller housing consisting of' plate 4 and members Ii, keyed to shaft 8 by key 20. Shaft 8 has as bearings, the roller 1 and blocks IS in which said shaft is free to rotate, said shaft constitut- 70 ing the axis about which pivotal motion of the roller housing may occur. Instead of the two sets of springs l2 and flanged irons I), one on each side of the roller 1, I may modify my mountingso that only one set of springs and one 7 flanged iron is required, such springsand flanged shaft 8 and thence to roller 1 and plate 9 on which iron being considerably stronger and heavier than those mentioned in the above description.

The above described connection provides a very sturdysupport for the heavy weight of loaded oil tanks and has been -found to very satisfactorily eliminate stresses which are normally set up in the walls of the tank and in the chassis frame when no lateral motion of one relative to the other is permitted.

I claim:

1. In tank wagon construction, a flexible chassis frame, 'an elongated tank adapted tobe supported thereon, a rigid support between the frame and the tank at one section along the length of the tank, and means for supporting the tank on the frame at at least one point remote from said rigid support to permit lateral and pivotal motion of said tank with respect to said frame, said pivotal motion occurring about a longitudinal axis substantially centrally of the bottom of said tank thereby to permit free flexing of said frame independently of said tank, and means cooperating therewith and exerting a lateral force tending to urge the tank from either side backto a predetermined position with respect to said chassis frame.

2. In tank wagon construction, a flexible chassis frame, an elongated tank adapted to be supported thereon, a rigid support between the frame and the tank at one section along the length r of the tank, and means for supporting the tank .on the frame at at least one point remote from the aforesaid support which permits pivotal and lateral movement of the tank with respect to the frame, said latter supporting means comprising a roller resting upon a plate rigidly affixed to a cross-piece of the aforesaid flexible frame, said roller being adapted to roll laterally of said frame to permit lateral and pivotal motion of the tank with respect to the frame, a shaft journalled in said rollerjand a housing keyed to said -shaft and supporting said tank, thereby transmitting the weight of said tank through said shaft to said roller and said-plate and thence to the crosspiece of said flexible frame.

3. In tank wagon construction, a flexible chassis frameflan elongated tank adapted to be supported thereton, a rigid support between the frame and the tank at one section along the length of the tank, and means for supporting the tank on the frame at at least one point remote from the 'stricted lateral movement of the tank with respect to the frame, said latter supporting means comprising a roller resting upon a plate rigidly affixed to a cross-piece of the aforesaid'flexible frame, said roller being adapted to roll laterally.

of said frame to permit lateral and pivotal motion of the tank with respect to the frame, a shaft journaled in said roller, a housing keyed to said shaft and supporting said tank, whereby the weight of said tank is transmitted through said shaft to saidmoller and said plate and thence to the cross-piece of said flexible frame, and means acting to urge the roller from a position of lateral displacement on either side 'of its predetermined normal position relative to the frame, back to said predetermined normal position.

4. In tank wagon construction, a flexible chassis frame, an elongated tank adapted to be supported thereon, a rigid support between the frame and the tank at one section along the length, and means for supporting the tank on the frame at at least one point remote from the aforesaid supporting means to permit pivotal and restrictroll laterally with respect to said frame to pertransmitting the weight of said tank through said shaft to said roller and thence-to its supporting base, the aforesaid'horizontal slots permitting lateral movement of the tank relative to the frame within limits and serving to hold the roller firmly down on its supporting member.

5. In tank wagon construction, a flexible chassis frame, an elongated-tank adapted to 'be'supported thereon, a rigid support between the frame and the tank at one section along the length of the tank, and means for supporting the tank on the frame at at least one point remote from the aforesaid supporting means to permit pivotal and restricted lateral movement of the tank with respect to the frame, said latter supporting means comprising amember attached to and extending cross-wise of said frame, a roller resting upon said member centrally thereof and adapted to roll laterally with respect to said frame to permit lateral and pivotal motion of the tank with respect to the frame, horizontally slotted members having flanges turned and supported on, said shaft on either side of said roller and aflixed to and supporting saidtank,

, thereby transmitting. the weight of said tank through saidshaft to said roller and thence to its supporting member, the aforesaid horizontal slots permitting lateral movement of the-tank relative to the frame to relieve stresses therebetween and said springs acting. to return the tank to its normal lateral position relative to the frame ported thereon, a rigid support betweenthe frame and the tank at one section along the length of thetank, and means for supporting the tank on the frame at at least one point removed from the aforesaid supporting means to permit pivotal and restricted lateral movement of the tank with respect to the frame, said latter supporting means comprising, a member attached to and extending cross-wise of said frame, a roller resting thereon and freely movable relative thereto laterally with respect to said frame, a shaft J'ournalledin said roller, a housing keyed to said shaft and fastened to and supportingsaid tank, and yieldsaid roller.

ing means adapted to urge said roller from a position of lateral displacement on either side of a predetermined normal position back to said normal position.

7. in tank wagon construction, a flexible chassis frame, an elongated tank adapted to be supported thereon, a rigid: support between the frame and the tank at one section along the length of the tank, and a support between the frame and'the tank at, at least one point remote from said rigid support, said latter support com prising a member supported bysaid frame and freely movable in a lateral direction with respect thereto, and a housing pivotally mountedon said member and fastened to and supporting said tank, thereby permitting free pivotal and lateral movement of said frame with respect to said tank. 8. A mounting fixture adapted to support a tank at a point along its length, which comprises a smooth base, a roller supported on said smooth base to roll back and forth thereon, said base being adapted to be rigidlyfastened to a vehicle frame, a shaft extending through said roller centrally thereof, and a housing member adapted to be connected to and'to support the tank, said housing being supported on said shaft on either side of said roller. v

9. A mounting fixture adapted tosupport a tank at apoint along its length, which comprises a smooth base, a roller supported'on said smooth base, a member supporting saidsmooth base and supported at each end by a vehicle frame, horizontally slotted members aflixedto the aforesaid member on either side thereof adjacent said smooth base, a -shaft extending through said roller and slots, so as to transmitldownward forces to said roller and thence' to its smooth base, and'a housing. member adapted to be connected to and to support thetank, said housing being supported on said shaft on either side of 10. A mounting fixture adapted to support a tank at a point along its length, which-comprises a smooth base, a roller supported on said smooth aforesaid member on either. side thereof and adjacentsaid smooth base, either end of each' slotted member being turned out from the afore-' said member substantially at right angles thereto, each of said turned out ends having a horizontal perforation substantially parallel to aforesaid member, a block located between said turned out ends of each of said slotted mem bers, a spring located outside of each turned outv end, a rod extending through. each spring,

through the opening in the respective turned.

out end and aiiixed to said block so as to exert a therein through which the said shaft passes.

RENE F. Boer-mom.

ans

force to maintain the block in a predetermined 

